What are the Uber important questions you should be asking your business insurer?
The meteoric rise of Uber has brought to our roads, a swell of young entrepreneurs who are doing it for themselves. These admirable Uber drivers are driven (ahem) to succeed and be financially independent. It is a business model free from an office-bound environment, and the rewards can be significant. However, along with using your personal vehicle for business purposes comes immense responsibility. One of your priorities should be conducting extensive research on the correct and most comprehensive business insurance for your Uber success. Uber insurance is tailor-made to ensure that your 3 greatest business assets – you, your vehicle and your passengers – are protected.
As an up-and-coming small business owner, what are the right questions to ask?
- Am I Uber compliant in all things insurance and otherwise?
The chance to be your very own boss has arrived. You know that the level of success you will enjoy is mostly determined by what you put in. This is your time, it’s your opportunity to shine, and you want nothing more than to make your loved ones proud.
Uber has afforded you the opportunity to supercharge the trajectory of your life, and it is therefore imperative that you tick all the boxes in terms of Uber compliancy.
Your vehicle needs to meet the South African requirements of being:
2013 model or newer
4-door sedan or minivan
In good condition with no cosmetic damage
It can’t be a hatchback.
You also need to ensure that your required documentation is in order. This is required to uphold the quality and safety on the Uber system.
The prerequisites you will need:
An operators card (double disk)
Commercial vehicle insurance
To do a vehicle inspection
Vehicle certificate of registration
An operating license from the department of transport
- Do I have the correct insurance and liability cover?
Owning your own business always comes with an immense amount of responsibility. Owning an Uber business takes this responsibility to a whole new level. You have passengers who are entrusting you with their lives and relying on you to get them and their loved ones to their destinations safely.
Your priority has to be impeccable driving skills.
Yes, sure, good communication skills, time management, and customer service are also key to your Uber business success, but safety-first, as they say. Consider taking an Advanced Driving Course to up your driving skills.
Despite the fact that by 2014 there were already over 1 million safe Uber trips – things can go wrong. South Africa’s road death toll in 2017 was higher than any other year from 2008 to 2015, and just marginally lower than 2016. It is vital that you choose the correct insurance and liability cover.
Uber has partnered with at least three top names in the business insurance industry. These are the insurers to speak to as they offer tailored cover for Uber vehicles. It is important you stipulate that your vehicle is for business use and that you select the best commercial insurance cover that has sufficient comprehensive cover for all eventualities.
We don’t like to think of the worst, but when selecting your Uber business insurance you do need to consider the following:
Hijackings and theft
Damages, accidental and intentional damage
Acts of nature, fire and explosion
Sufficient Third Party Liability cover
Passenger Liability Cover
Personal Accidental Cover for each passenger
In addition to the above, you’ll need to consider the following:
Keys
Remotes
Roadside assistance
Tracking
Towing and recovery
- How do I know I’m getting the best insurance premium?
When doing your business insurance research, it can become overwhelming. It is difficult and time-consuming to compare apples with apples. Businessinsurance.co.za makes this comparison easy with its go-to website for all things insurance. No need to shop around. Simply request a quote and one of our top insurers will be in contact to answer any of your questions.
Remember, you need to be perfecting the skills of impeccable driving, sound communication, and reliability. You want things like Uber business insurance to be taken care of so you can get on with what you do best.
You’ll be pleasantly surprised to find that the insurers’ response rates are right up there with Uber’s. The average waiting period for an Uber in Cape Town is 3.5 minutes, with Johannesburg coming in at 4.9 minutes an Uber study showed. Likewise, you’ll easily be able to compare quotes in a matter of minutes.
- How do I run my business well if I’ve never studied business?
Okay, so this isn’t a direct question you’ll be asking your business insurer, but if you don’t have a successful business, then there’ll be nothing to insure anyway.
How to be a successful Uber driver depends entirely on you. Attitude is everything. You need not have a business degree. What you need is a professional, reliable and consistent approach. This is your business. You don’t have a corporate boss breathing down your neck, and that’s both a positive and a negative. You are your own motivator, your own critic and your own boss. Make yourself proud! It’s all up to you.
Uber South Africa was one of the first country’s outside of the US to have three cities operating simultaneously. So, if this is the path (or the road) you have chosen, it’s an excellent one that will reap the rewards. Just remember, sorting out your Uber business insurance with businessinsurance.co.za is your number one port of call.
